FINTECH REGISTRATION
IN CANADA
Talk to our Legal ExpertsOne expert legal and compliance team for FINTRAC MSB, Foreign MSB and Bank of Canada registration.
CANADA FINTECH REGISTRATION
Launch Your Fintech in Canada with the Right Registration Route
Canada does not have a single fintech licence. The right route depends on your services, business location and customers. You may need FINTRAC registration as a Canadian MSB or Foreign MSB, Bank of Canada registration as a payment service provider under the RPAA, or both.
Complium assesses the scope and manages the registration work required to launch and operate in Canada.
Acquisition Support
Go live in as little as two weeks. Subject to MSB availability, due diligence and required corporate, FINTRAC and compliance updates.
FINTRAC
For Canadian businesses providing foreign exchange, money transfer, virtual currency or other regulated money services.
FINTRAC
For businesses outside Canada that provide regulated money services directly to customers located in Canada.
Bank of Canada
For payment service providers supervised by the Bank of Canada under the Retail Payment Activities Act.
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STEP 1
Scope Assessment
We assess your services, structure, customers and planned Canadian activities. -
STEP 2
Registration Plan
We define the registration route, required documents and compliance work. -
STEP 3
Application Support
We prepare the application and support responses during regulatory review.
BEYOND REGISTRATION
What Registration Requires in Practice
FINTRAC and RPAA obligations continue after registration. Your business must maintain effective governance, reporting processes, records, operational controls and regulatory oversight.
The right foundation matters from the start.
Complium can support the compliance work directly connected to your registration and operating model.
Correct Regulatory Scope
Identify whether FINTRAC, Bank of Canada or both registration frameworks apply.
Operational Readiness
Establish the processes and controls required to meet your regulatory obligations.
Continuing Compliance
Maintain reporting, records and governance as your Canadian operations develop.
WHY COMPLIUM
Registration Expertise with Broader Support
Complium combines legal, regulatory and compliance expertise in one accountable team. We manage the registration process first, then support the connected work required to establish and operate your Canadian business.
Application Management
Assessment, registration documentation and support with regulatory information requests.
International Experience
Experience from more than 500 fintech and regulated projects for clients from 46+ countries.
AML Compliance Support
AML frameworks, governance, training and reviews aligned with your operating model.
Banking and Payment Advisory
Practical preparation for bank accounts, payment partners and infrastructure requirements.
Corporate and Local Substance
Company setup, local presence, accounting and regulatory reporting support.
Ongoing Regulatory Support
Continuing assistance with reporting, governance and regulatory changes after registration.
Start with the registration you need, then add the connected support your Canadian operations require.
REGISTRATION AND BEYOND
Support Beyond
Registration
We treat your Canadian registration requirements as the immediate priority. When needed, the same team can also support AML governance, corporate setup, banking preparation and ongoing compliance.
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FINTRAC and RPAA Registration
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Application and Regulatory Support
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AML Governance and Controls
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Compliance Officer Support
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Corporate and Banking Preparation
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Ongoing Compliance Support
Complium has delivered legal and compliance expertise since 2008, supporting more than 500 fintech and regulated projects across 46+ countries.
Contact us
Discuss Your Canadian
Registration
Tell us what your business does, where it is established and how it plans to serve Canadian clients. Our team will assess the likely registration requirements and contact you to discuss the next steps.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Canadian Fintech Registration FAQs
Practical answers about FINTRAC MSB, Foreign MSB and Bank of Canada registration requirements.
The answer depends on your services, business location, customers and payment activities. Complium assesses whether FINTRAC MSB Registration, Foreign MSB Registration, RPAA Registration, or more than one requirement applies.
A Canadian MSB generally has a place of business in Canada. A Foreign MSB is based outside Canada but directs and provides prescribed money services to clients in Canada.
Yes. Depending on the activities performed, a business may have obligations under both the FINTRAC MSB framework and the Retail Payment Activities Act.
We normally begin with your corporate structure, services, transaction flows, customer locations, use of third parties and planned Canadian activities. This allows us to assess the likely scope before preparing registration work.
No. FINTRAC and the Bank of Canada register businesses that meet the applicable legal requirements; registration is not a regulatory endorsement or a fintech licence.
Timing depends on the registration route, the completeness of the information and any questions raised during review. We establish a realistic work plan after assessing your business and do not promise a fixed regulatory outcome or timeframe.
Ongoing obligations may include AML governance, record keeping, reporting, training, reviews, operational risk management and regulatory updates.
Yes. Where required, Complium can support company setup, local substance, banking preparation, accounting and continuing corporate requirements alongside registration.
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